“Moses said, ‘Please show me your glory’” (Ex. 33:18, ESV).
I have been coming back to this passage repeatedly for weeks now. Something about it is speaking deeply to my heart. I believe Holy Spirit wants to speak profoundly to your spirit through it today too.
Moses had already been singled out for friendship with God, at this point in his life’s journey. Just a few verses earlier in this chapter, we read about their intimate communication: “The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, the way a person speaks to a friend” (v. 11, NET). We know from the story that this happened regularly. Can it get more amazing than recurrent face to face encounters with the living God?
Apparently, yes it can. Moses wasn’t satisfied. Seven verses after this incredible description of his frequent tête-à-têtes with the I AM, is where we find him asking for more. More of God. He had tasted of God’s presence more than any other human alive at the time, and yet he was longing for more.
“Please show me your glory!” his heart cried out ardently. God liked that yearning. He answered Moses by giving him an even deeper draught of His manifest presence. Here is His magnificent response:
Again, I am fascinated, fixated on these words. Verse 11 says they would habitually speak face to face. Why, then is He now asserting that Moses wouldn’t be able to see His face and live? I believe this chapter is revealing to us the principle of degree, when it comes to encountering the presence of God. Moses had come into contact with a degree of His revealed presence, an astonishingly powerful degree at that. However, it was still limited compared to what was available of God. What was available was so astonishing it was going to cause his face to shine brilliantly. The radiance coming off him would be so resplendent that no one could bear to look at him!
And that is where His word to you today comes in. You have encountered God to a degree too. But what you have experienced, what you have tasted, what you have known, is so small compared to all that He wants to reveal to you of Himself!
Can you imagine what it must have felt like for God’s own hand to lift Moses’ body up and move it into the cleft of the rock? For him to look up and see the lines of God’s actual palm covering over the opening as He passed by? Beloved, there is so much more of Himself that God longs to show you!!
Now don’t go disqualifying yourself, thinking that such things were only for legendary men of the Bible. Look at this:
Do you believe what this passage is telling you? Do you realize that you have the ministry of the Spirit? The Spirit of the Lord dwells in your body. He is one with you. The sacred covenant you walk in with Him comes with even more glory than what Moses himself experienced!
I’ll say it again. There is SO MUCH MORE of Him available to you!!!
Are you thirsty for God? Are you dissatisfied with how little you have tasted of Him so far? Do you yearn for more of Him? Just begin to cry out, “Please show me Your glory!” You belong to a God who responds passionately to that very cry!
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What do you understand by the phrase, “the ministry of the Spirit”?
We will see Him face to face imagine that!
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Just imagining it starts to blow my mind in the most beautiful way!!!
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🙂💟🙏
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You have reminded me never to be ‘fine’ or satisfied with how much of God I have tasted. I long to have more of Him.
Thank you Jennifer 😊🌺
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You are so welcome, Manu! And meeee tooooo!!!
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The ministry of the Spirit; hallelujah🙌🏻
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Yes and amen, my brother!! 😀
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Great encouragement Jennifer. Thank you.
One of the things I have said to my family time and again for the past 12 years is that I want to see my Father. As we were descending into poverty, all the time we were homeless and now as we are ascending out from the valley, my heart has but one purpose, to see my Father.
And not just see Him but to dwell in His presence continually. A long time ago He spoke into my spirit and told me that I would dwell in His Heart. This was a remarkable revelation for me and I took it seriously. Little did I realize just what the entrance exam would be like. To be invited into His heart is a true honor but in order to walk in that one must be willing to be stripped of everything. That last bit I didn’t understand, until after we went through the valley.
Many people want what Moses had, a deep intimate relationship with the Father, but few go through the preparation phase Moses went through. We can attest to that because we had to endure the same process. It ain’t fun but the reward has been great so far. No, I have not yet been able to see my Father but that is coming. What we have found though is that faith is of great worth and value to the Father; greater than sight. I think faith is the foundation that allows you to have sight. Without it ‘self’ would betray the Father. He went through that with satan and He will not repeat that. If we come to Him it will only be after we pass through the fires of purification as Moses did. No one gets a free pass on this one, no one. Jesus is our model here. As He suffered so must we, if we are to dwell with Him amongst the coals of fire.
You are well on your way Jennifer. I hear the maturity in your writings and am greatly encouraged. Few have that maturity today. It heartens me to know this.
Blessings,
Homer Les
http://www.uncompromisingfaith.ca
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I really like how you put that, Homer. “I think faith is the foundation that allows you to have sight.” And a hearty AMEN to your insight about the long preparation process of purifying in the fire that is necessary to get to the deepest levels of intimacy with Him. So, so true that few take the narrow way and the narrow door. But oh, to have more of Him! It’s worth the most costly price! Thank you so much, my brother, for your thoughtful sharing of your journey and wisdom. It is greatly appreciated!
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Jesus said, I will leave with you the COMFORTER. He will lead you into all TRUTH. He will dwell in you, for you are a living Temple of the Lord. Call upon the SPIRIT for all your needs.
Len
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Isn’t it amazing that He will faithfully make sure we get the truth on every matter, deep into our hearts? He’s relentlessly patient and insistent with this, and it always sets us free!
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Mindful of something I read in a book on spirituality sitting to my right as I type this, and it is an astounding thought: that through this ministry, we can actually be partners with the Spirit and go make the world a better place. The strength is already within us; we need only to accept it and follow the Master’s orders! — Mike
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That really is a stunning thought! What is the name of the book?
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“Knowing the Love of God,” by Fr. Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange. It stemmed from a discussion on the efficacy of prayer.
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When He speaks to others thru you and you cannot remember the words as it would make us haughty. I love Him when He does this. Praise and Glory to His Name.
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That really is such an amazing experience! I give Him praise and glory with you!!
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This is so very well written, and such an important topic. Faith is the key to unlocking our own hearts. Deep communion with God begins with asking Him to meet us in daily encounter. Every day with God is a good day. This is why Jesus said that” we must seek, in order to find.” (Matthew 7:7) This seeking is a continuous process, an ongoing prayer…so much so that it becomes second nature. This is the Holy Spirit, the Comforter at work in our lives at all times.
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Amen and amen to seeking daily encounter with Him. Truly, there’s nothing better! I’ve told Him lots of times that if it were up to me, I’d much prefer countless hours of time every day to get lost in His presence. It’s my favorite thing! Thank you so much, Linda, for your encouragement and insightful sharing!
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Oh indeed Yes and Yes and Yes. This is indeed why God the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost. The Sacrifice at the Cross was completed and NOW God the Holy Spirit could come and STAY FOREVER with all who earnestly seek after Christ and follow Him. His indwelling Presence and NOW right Now we can have a relationship with God the Father as His Child. We are made worthy to face Him by the atoning blood of Christ. Abba my Father. Into the very THRONE Room of God we can come. That is where we can absolutely be apprehended by HIS GLOR.Y. Jesus Christ is indeed about RELATIONSHIP and never intended to be another RELIGION.
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Amen, my sister! And how breathtaking, to be invited into His throneroom to behold His glory and beauty! AMEN!!
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